Digital TV Recorders

Digital TV Recorders

As with all the appliances discussed here, choosing an energy-efficient model will pay a dividend in the long run.

Digital Radios

Digital Radios

Digital radios have been a popular product with UK consumers in recent years, offering excellent sound quality and a broad selection of channels.

But it’s also worth nothing that digital radios generally use far more power than their analogue predecessors. On standby, power consumption is typically five times higher than what you’d expect from an old-fashioned model.

Tumble Dryers

Tumble Dryers

Tumble dryers are not among the most energy efficient appliances you’ll find in the average home. Over the course of a year, your dryer will cost you about £35.

That may be cheaper than a trip to the launderette, but you’ll save even more money if you simply use a washing line instead.

Fridge Freezers

Fridge Freezers

Thanks to the fact that they need to be turned on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fridges and freezers are the most power-hungry appliances in the majority of UK homes.

As a result, it’s a good idea to buy the most energy-efficient models you can find.

Kettles

Kettles

Kettles have a notorious appetite for electricity, a problem exacerbated by the fact that the average UK home boils its kettle 1,500 times a year!

One simple way to reduce the financial (and ecological) impact is to avoid over-filling the kettle – only boil the water that you actually need to use.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers

As nice as it may be to avoid the tedium of manual washing up, the standard dishwasher costs a hefty £40 to run each year.

If you really hate doing things by hand, bear in mind that newer machines are generally more effective than their older equivalents – and they use less water too.

Cookers

Cookers

Happily, cookers are getting increasingly energy-efficient – but it’s still worth taking the time to do your research before buying a new one.

An electric cooker with an A+ rating will use 40 per cent less energy than one with a B ranking.

Microwave ovens

Microwave ovens

While they lack the glamour of a proper oven, microwaves are far more efficient in their energy use, largely thanks to the fact that they heat food directly.

A traditional oven has to also heat the air inside it.

Desktops and laptop PCs

Desktops and laptop PCs

You might expect desktop computers and laptops to be particularly power hungry, but together with mobile phones they account for just six per cent of the energy use.

The problem is, we’re using more of these gadgets than ever before – most people own multiple devices.

Introducing the
British Gas Smart Meters

Taken a look at your energy meters recently?

Ever felt that in these days of digital and wireless
technology that they look a bit outdated? well lets take another look.

What are smart meters?

Smart meters replace your current gas and electricity meters, and with the addition of a smart energy monitor you will be able to see how much energy you're using. British Gas is rolling out smart meters to all there customers by 2020, so everyone will get them over the next few years.